Straight Talk

If you registered for Straight Talk Saturday - You are registered for the series.

Straight Talk Seminar Series (February 3 - March 24, 2015)

An Exceptional Eight-Week Straight Talk Series for Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Existing Businesses

5:45 PM – 8:30 PM Medaille College, Buffalo Campus

See the other side for session details

Light refreshments (e.g. pizza) served at break

Register before February 3, 2015 for all 8 events for one price OR

Register for each seminar in the series as you wish (maximum $5 each session)

Attend all 8 sessions and receive a Certificate of Completion that satisfies educational requirement for ECIDA Microloans.

The 8-week follow-on seminar series stars on February 3, 2015 and continuing for 8 consecutive Tuesday evenings, 5:45 PM to 8:30 PMin the Main Building at Medaille College,18 Agaziz Circle, Buffalo, NY 14214. Register for all 8 or pick and choose the ones you wish

If you registered and paid for Straight Talk 2015, you are already registered and paid for the series.

If you missed Straight Talk Saturday you can can register online now using the links below in the session descriptions.
Don't miss out. Seminars are only $5 each.

February 3, 2015 Session 1

Business Plans I and Library Resources – A business plan provides you with a comprehensive, detailed overview of all the aspects of your business. It is critical to start, grow and obtain financing for your business. The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library provides a wealth of information for free to business owners. This seminar will teach you the critical inputs to your business plan and about the important services provided by the library and how to access them. Presenters: Steve Martin, Chapter Chair, SCORE Buffalo Niagara and Suzanne Culligan, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library. Click here to register for all 8 or just this one session

February 10, 2015 Session 2

Business Plans II and Elements of a Financial Plan – To successfully operate a business, it is necessary to understand your Balance Sheet, P&L and Cash Flow. This program will provide you an understanding of the most important part of the business, how your cash and money work for you. Presenters: Ron Livecchi & Frank Uhlman, SCORE Certified Mentors .Click here to register for all remaining sessions or just this one session

February 17, 2015 Session 3

Business Ethics and Risk Management from the Legal Perspective – Business Ethics are critical no matter what industry you are in, the wrong move can make or break your business. Understanding the different organizational types (Sole Proprietor, LLC, Corporations) have a significant impact on your business. This seminar will provide you an understanding of business ethics and the steps you need to take to protect your business legally. Presenters: Clifford Bell, Buffalo State SBDC and David Roach, Esq., Blair & Roach, LLP. Click here to register for all remianing sessions or just this one session

February 24, 2015 Session 4

Home-Based Business Strategies for Success, New York State Taxes and The Affordable Care Act – This workshop will teach you strategies for success when running a home-based business, information on what you need to do for your New York State sales and income tax and information on health insurance and the Affordable Care Act. Presenters: Suzanne Reusch, Director of Outreach and Taxpayer Education, NYS Department of Taxation and Finance; Greg Lindberg, Economic Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration and Mike Bolo, SCORE Certified Mentor. Click here to register for just this one session

March 3, 2015 Session 5

Risk Management from the Insurance Perspective and Federal Taxes – Protecting yourself, your employees and your business is critical to every business owner. Join us to learn about insurance protections you should take to run your business. The second part of this workshop will focus on Federal Tax strategies and information. Presenters: Ruth Luzio, VP & Operations Risk Manager, First Niagara and Tifffany Sabian, Manager, EG Tax. Click here to register for just this one session

March 10, 2015 Session 6

Marketing your Small Business and Getting your Business Online for less than $100 – Marketing brings customers through your door to generate sales. Marketing is an ever-evolving and important business process. One important part of Marketing in 2015 is making sure your business is online. This program will teach you strategies and tactics for Marketing your business and how to get your business online for less than $100. Presenters: Carrie Maciejiewski & Arba Tucker, SCORE Certified Mentors. Click here to register for just this one session

March 17, 2015 Session 7

Social Media & Internet Marketing Secrets and Managing your Credit Score – Social Media and Internet Marketing create significant leads and advantages for small business owners. Your Credit Score is an important part of getting a small business loan. Attend this program to learn the secrets of social edia and internet marketing and how to manage your credit score to help gain a small business loan. Presenters: Steve Martin, Chapter Chair, SCORE Buffalo Niagara and Mike Florczak, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo.Click here to register for just this one session

March 24, 2015 Session 8

Funding your Small Business – Capital is crucial to the success of a business, whether you are trying to expand or you are trying to start the business. Understanding the process of borrowing money, what lending institutions are looking for and how to prepare to ask for a loan are very important to small business owners. In this seminar you will hear from multiple people in the lending industry who will help guide you through the process of borrowing money. Presenters: Paul Hoffman, Lender Relations Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration and Gerry Manhard, Loan Manager, ECIDA. Click here to register for just this one session.

The date for the Saturday session was held January 24, 2015 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

The Saturday January 24, 2015 Straight Talk 2015 program continues with the FREE 8-week follow-on seminar series starting on February 3, 2015 and continuing for 8 consecutive Tuesday evenings, 5:45 PM to 8:30 PMin the Main Building at Medaille College,18 Agaziz Circle, Buffalo, NY 14214

Register now for your access to up to 23 hours of world-class seminars and networking. After January 23rd you can register separately for the follow-on seminar series as a whole or individual seminars. Registration before January 23rd is the lowest price.

If you registered and paid for Straight Talk 2015, you are already registered and paid for the series.

If you missed Straight Talk Saturday you can can register online now at this link. Don't miss out. Seminars are only $5 each. That hardly covers the pizza or subs served to you on break.

Straight Talk Seminar Series

Straight Talk is a collaboration between the U.S. Small Business Administration Buffalo District and Buffalo Niagara SCORE working in concert with dozens of lending and service organizations in the WNY region. See the Straight Talk Steering Committee Membership. It would not be possible without their generous support.

SBA's participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views,opinions,products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity.All of SBA's programs and services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.